Trek In Bhutan: Jomolhari Laya Gasa Trek




One of the most scenic of treks in Bhutan is unmistakably the Jomolhari Laya Gasa Trek which is a 217 km trek, spanning over 14 days beginning at  Drukgyel in Paro valley. The trek is named after the highest peak of Bhutan Mt. Jomolhari which is also believed to be the abode of the Goddess of protection (Jomo). The trek will take you through gorgeous alpine meadows, high mountain passes, and dense subtropical jungles before ending at Damji in Tashithang. Along the trail of the Jomolhari Laya Gasa Trek, you will be able to spot indigenous animals of Bhutan such as blue sheep and takins and pass through most pristine and unspoiled landscapes in Bhutan. The trek also offers a day of relaxation at the famous Gasa hot springs en-route. The best months to visit Bhutan to complete this trek are between April-June and mid-September-mid-November, when Bhutan experiences clear skies and a pleasant climate.


Day 1 starts at the Gunitsawa Village in northern Paro and ends at Sharna Zampa (2850m). The following day you trek for almost 22km to reach the campsite at Thangthangkha (3610m). You get the first view of Mt. Jomolhari from here. On Day 3, the trail ends at Jangothang (4080m) while passing through alpine meadows and sightings of yaks. This part of the trek is especially scenic. Day 4 is a rest day for acclimatization and a chance to spot blue sheep and enjoy short hikes around the campsite. The next day, the trail begins at a rapid climb towards Nyilila Pass (4870m) after which there is a descent towards the Lingshi Basin (a U shaped valley). The day ends near the Lingshi Dzong (4010m). The half-day mark takes you to the village of Chebsia (3880m) where the day ends. From here you can also visit the stone houses in the Goyul village nearby.

The 7th Day will lead you towards Gobu La Pass (4410m) and will end above the tributary of Mo Chhu river at Shomuthang (4220m). The eighth day will take you to Jhari La (4750m) from where you can glimpse Sinche La (the pass which comes on the 9th Day), the Great Tiger Mountain, Tserim kang and the Jomolhari. The day ends at Robluthang (4160m), which is in a rocky meadow. The 9th day takes you to Sinche La (5005m), the final and the highest pass on this trek. You will then cross the Kango Chhu and then reach the Limithang campsite (4140m). The 10th day is a downhill trail along the winding river valley to the Laya village (3840m) with glorious views of Mt. Gangchhenta and Mt. Masagang. This is where you will end the day. On the 11th day, the trail takes you to the river valley of Mo Chhu, the major river in Bhutan, up to Kohi Lapcha and then down to Koina (3050) where you will camp for the night. On the 12th day, you will climb to cross the Bari la (3740m) pass to reach the campsite at the Gasa village (2240m), close to the Gasa Dzong. If you descend for another hour, you can relax in the rejuvenating mineral waters of the Gasa Tsachu, one of the most popular hot springs in Bhutan. The trek ends here and offers you a chance to explore this remote village in the northwest of Bhutan. Gasa is home to a distinctive and architecturally unique Dzong and is also an environmentally protected area of Bhutan


Every trek in Bhutan is accompanied by a guide, cook, camping assistant, and a few horsemen and horses to carry gear and the Owl Trek is no different. The maximum elevation that is reached during the trek is 5005m (16420 feet above sea level). Make sure to wear hiking boots, all-terrain clothing and carry a sleeping bag, water-bottle, first-aid kit, and a de-hydration kit as essentials.
To know more about this trek in details, read here: https://www.tourgenie.com/travel-diaries/travel-blogs/trek-in-bhutan-jomolhari-laya-gasa-trek

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Food in Bhutan: Must-try food dishes in Bhutanese cuisine

Image
Bhutanese food has been influenced by India, China, and Tibet, but the local food still remains unique.  The most distinctive characteristic of Bhutanese food is its spiciness, with chillies being an essential part of nearly every food item.  You will get a lot of options to choose from the Bhutanese cuisine. Some of the foods you need to definitely try on your next trip to the mountain kingdom are the delicious ema datshi a stew made with chillies and cheese, shamu datshi stew made with cheese and mushrooms, kewa datshi stew of cheese and potatoes,  gondo datshi etc. Bhutanese love their locally produced cheese and many dishes are made by using them. Apart from these popular foods in Bhutan do try the mouth watering gondo datshi also called as butter egg fry. This food in Bhutan is best eaten with Himalayan red rice. Shakam ema datshi is a non-vegetarian version of datshi made with dried beef. If you are a beef lover and always ready for challenges, this food i...
Read more

Holiday Packages To Bhutan

Image
Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, the tiny Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan was inaccessible to the outside world until a few years ago, and now it has become one of the premier travel destinations in this part of the world primarily because of its unique culture and traditions that have been preserved for centuries now. Bhutan is also nicknamed as ‘the Land of the Thunder Dragon’ and is the only country to go by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness as a development index. Bhutan lies in Southeast Asia and shares its border with Tibet, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh , Assam and West Bengal. Bhutan has only one international airport— Paro Airport. The nearest railway station is Hasimara in West Bengal. Bhutan is well connected by roads too (Phuentsholing, Samdrup Jongkhar) and accessible from India. The landscape of Bhutan consists mostly of steep and high mountains and deep valleys. , Bhutan’s climate goes from subtropical in the south to temperate in the highlands, while in...
Read more

Bhutan best time to visit

Image
Known as the land of the Thunder Dragon, the tiny Himalayan kingdom called Bhutan is shrouded with mystery and mysticism for the outside world. Bhutan is a paradise for tourists, landscape coupled with monasteries, temples, and other Buddhist places, exude solace and tranquility. The past few years has seen an unprecedented number of tourists visit Bhutan especially from India.  The Bhutan’s landscape ranges from lush plains and captivating valleys to high passes and rugged snow-capped Himalayan Mountains. This country has a total of 71% forest cover. For the tourist seeking to enjoy the beauty of Bhutan, the country offers a number of trekking routes, hiking trails, cycling paths, picnic spots, and rejuvenating hot springs. Spring (early March-mid-June) is the best time to visit Bhutan, when the valleys are filled with flowers. For those seeking adventure, Bhutan has some thrilling activities such as whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, fishing, and more. ...
Read more